Ed Rendell: Bob McDonnell 'coward,' 'wuss'

Former Gov. Ed Rendell called Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-Va.) a “coward and a wuss” for avoiding a conversation about whether Americans should have access to semiautomatic assault weapons arming in wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown, Conn.

“I like Gov. McDonnell and think he does some good things, but he is being nothing but a coward and a wuss when he won’t confront the question,” said Rendell, a Pennsylvania Democrat, on MSNBC on Wednesday. “Governor, give us one reason why any law-abiding American should have access to a clip that has more than ten bullets in it or to a semiautomatic assault weapon. There is no reason. There’s no answer. And the American people understand that.”

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Rendell on the power of the NRA

McDonnell spokesman Paul Logan responded to Rendell’s criticisms to POLITICO saying: “The governor has called for a thoughtful and thorough review of Virginia school safety policies following the tragedy in Connecticut. He has said that we need to look at mental health and public safety and how those intersect, as well as broader issues that contribute to a culture of violence.”

When asked again about McDonnell’s position on gun clips, Logan declined any further comment specifically, but added: “The governor believes that with rational and thoughtful analysis and discussion, that we can help prevent these acts from occurring again anywhere in our nation.”

Logan continued: “In 2007, he worked with then-Governor Kaine following the shootings at Virginia Tech, to make Virginia a national leader in submitting information to the National Criminal Background Check System and close the mental health reporting gap that allowed that gunman to acquire his weapons. He has ordered a comprehensive review of public safety, mental health, firearms, school safety and other issues that allow us to protect our young people better.”

On MSNBC, Rendell also addressed critics who say gun control would lead to even more stricter gun control laws.

“It isn’t a slippery slope, and no one wants to take away your deer rifle,” Rendell said.

Rendell also questioned the NRA’s political clout.

“If you guys are so tough, how come you opposed me in three state-wide election in the second highest NRA membership state in the country and I got elected by 10 points, 12 points and 21 points. If the NRA is so tough, how did I win all of those elections?” Rendell said.

Rendell continued: “They’re not that tough. They are literally a paper tiger. They’re the Wizard of Oz.”

Readers' Comments (59)

It's not that they are so tough ! It is the Constitution that is tough, Doedoe Bird ! And the guns are for protecting Americans from people like YOU, you commie! " A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunitions to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own Government.' Gerorge Washington...that's YOU, Creep ! And while we're at it , disarm yourself, the President and the whole ruling class, as well as the President 2 daughter's school.They aren't any better than the other kids! And you are no more valuable than any one else, you bunch of scumbags!

I don't understand why it takes 30 rounds to take down a animal. If you can't get it with one shot you usually lose the animal. Everyone knows that. No need for 30 round magazines. No need for politicians that are cowards.

It's not that they are so tough ! It is the Constitution that is tough, Doedoe Bird ! And the guns are for protecting Americans from people like YOU, you commie! " A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunitions to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own Government.' Gerorge Washington...that's YOU, Creep ! And while we're at it , disarm yourself, the President and the whole ruling class, as well as the President 2 daughter's school.They aren't any better than the other kids! And you are no more valuable than any one else, you bunch of scumbags!

You know - since the govt has nuclear weapons, why shouldn't civilians have nuclear weapons with which to oppose the govt if it gets out of line? Until everyone has nuclear weapons we aren't really a free people! Until I can get sufficient weapons with which to possibly fight off the US military, I won't be free and neither will anyone else.

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That's the line of thought that opposes rational gun laws. Until they are rightly ridiculed for their idiocy, until no one takes them seriously as a viable political force, there will be Bushmasters for every head case.

I can't quite figure out what is going on with Bob McDonnell. He could be a closet pedophile or maybe he was abused as a child. Maybe both. He seems severely disturbed and borderline psychotic. If he were to snap, he could walk into a school with a gun and...

What the hell is wrong with these Mc's anyway? McConnell, Bob/Christine McDonnell, McCain, one lunatic after another.

They are also asking for the next psychotic, gun-crazed, lunatic to give their 6-yearold child a visit at their school in near future. I can not tell you how relieved I was to learn that Nancy Lanza was murdered by her own son who she personally taught how to use a gun responsibly. Does anyone see the irony that she bought those guns for protection.

@miwm: Seek help immediately. Your head is exploding. Pass the popcorn.

Why doesn't the brave ex-gov. Rendell challenge the cowardly gov. McDonnell to shoot out on main street with simple revolvers ? Say, this Friday at high noon ? Or a bare knuckle fist fight in the Lincoln center sometime this weekend ?

My mothers neighbour is working part time and averaging $9000 a month. I'm a single mum and just got my first paycheck for $6546! I still can't believe it. I tried it out cause I got really desperate and now I couldn't be happier. Heres what I do, www.FB26.com

Governor McDonnell is busy working on probes for women who want abortions. Actually, women needing an abortion have to go through so much more to gain access to a legal medical procedure than anyone who wants to purchase an assault rifle. Perhaps we should require probes for firearm purchases. Surely that would slow things down a bit. Let Gov. Bob think about that for a while since he is so in to probing.

You libs live in LaLa land, if someone wants their gun to have a 30 round magazine, then so be it. The vast majority of the time that these gun crimes are committed, the perps are not law-abiding citizens.

When obozo and that moron mayor of NYC have their body guards go around unarmed, then I may consider giving up my gun.

Anyone that thinks the Founding Fathers would approve of these assault weapons and high capacity mags for civilian use is kidding themselves.

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The founding fathers gave U.S. that right in order to protect U.S. from people like Rendell. His lack of understand the root cause is not an entitlement to trample on my rights as an American. Any weapon left unto itself will never cause any form of damage. It's the driving force behind it that does. You liberals can throw all the money in the world at that problem and will never stop it because that is all you do in life. Throw money at a problem and never solve it. But keep spouting the hyperbole and rile more people up. Division Division Division is all you liberals are about. Always trying to put anyone in a box and out of the way that disagrees with your ideals. Gun sales soaring, boosted by gun laws, concerns about Obama ...

Americans = Biggest, baddest, best. That's why the big guns. You liberals are the only ones fooling yourselves. Start going after the real problem. And it's not the law abiding citizen. Its the people like Rendell spouting off names and hatred towards others. Fueling the fires in the name of their own self rightousness.

Liberals = Why things fail. They are just too elitist and arrogant as too understand why.